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EDITORIAL INFORMATION

Beginner's Guide to the Sun provides information on the only way you can look directly at the Sun without hurting your eyes. In plain English the authors reveal the secrets of the Sun -from its earliest significance to primitive priests and astronomers to the amazing cycles of sunspots, eclipses, massive energy outbursts and size fluctuations we can observe today. Readers will even learn how to perform their own solar experiments at home and come up with actual scientific data.

Peter O. Taylor is a solar astronomer and author of dozens of scientific articles on solar observation as well as the book Observing the Sun. For the past 15 years he has been chairman of the Solar Division of AAVSO (American Association of Variable Star Observers).

Nancy L. Hendrickson is an amateur astronomer and freelance writer. She is member of the Astronomical League, the North American Sundial Society, the San Diego Astronomy Association, and the Astroforum on Compuserve. She also publishes Clear Skies, a newsletter for amateur astronomers.

(Extracted from de press release).

GENERAL TABLE OF CONTENTS

-Preface.

-1- Early Beliefs.
-2- Scientific Development.
-3- Space Age Solar Astronomy.
-4- The Sun as a Star.
-5- Features Above and Beneath the Atmosphere.
-6- The Sun's Atmosphere.
-7- In the Path of the Sun's Emissions.
-8- Solar Eclipses.
-9- The Future.
-10- Observing the Sun.

-Appendix. Index.

OUR REVIEW

This is just a little work, yet one that those amateur astronomers who want to enter for the first time into the fascinating world of the observation of our star will no doubt like. From this point of view, the book has an introductory function. So, in it we will find history, theory, and -of course, practise as well. Perhaps the most remarkable part in Beginner's Guide to the Sun precisely is the section called Project, which, at the end of each chapter shows a practical example related to what we have learned during the preceding pages. It may be a watching experiment, or about how to build simple instruments (e.g. a magnetometer) with cheap materials.

Phenomena such as eclipses, protuberances, sunspots, etc. of a far-reaching interest in the amateur field, are described with accurate clarity. The possibilities that the amateur observers have to contribute with something to the scientific knowledge are also accurately explored.

We will not, however, find any equations other than the ones which are strictly necessary in order to understand how we can put into practice some of the simple experiments presented in the book, a fact that no doubt makes access to it easier for a greater number of readers.

Once the book is finished, the readers will have a basic knowledge which allows them to start to make headway into the world of individual observation. At the same time, the readers will understand which the purpose of the instruments that the astronomers -amateur or otherwise- use is, as well as how they work, and will have a clear idea about how the Sun is, and how it behaves as a star.